Week 15 Rankings: Top 25 Tight Ends

With some of the big name tight ends continuing to struggle (i.e. Vernon Davis and Jermichael Finley), fantasy owners continue to be forced to look at other options. Who should we trust with fantasy titles on the line? Let’s take a look:

Jimmy Graham – New Orleans Saints – vs. Tampa Bay

Tony Gonzalez – Atlanta Falcons – vs. New York Giants

Owen Daniels – Houston Texans – vs. Indianapolis

Aaron Hernandez – New England Patriots – vs. San Francisco

Jason Witten – Dallas Cowboys – vs. Pittsburgh

Heath Miller – Pittsburgh Steelers – at Dallas

Martellus Bennett – New York Giants – at Atlanta

Greg Olsen – Carolina Panthers – at San Diego

Brandon Myers – Oakland Raiders – vs. Kansas City

Dennis Pitta – Baltimore Ravens – vs. Denver

Brandon Pettigrew – Detroit Lions – at Arizona

Jermaine Gresham – Cincinnati Bengals – at Philadelphia

Kyle Rudolph – Minnesota Vikings – at St. Louis

Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers – vs. Carolina

Vernon Davis – San Francisco 49ers – at New England

Dallas Clark – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – at New Orleans

Benjamin Watson – Cleveland Browns – vs. Washington

Tony Moeaki – Kansas City Chiefs – at Oakland

Marcedes Lewis – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Miami

Jacob Tamme – Denver Broncos – at Baltimore

Jermichael Finley – Green Bay Packers – at Chicago

Scott Chandler – Buffalo Bills – vs. Seattle

Brent Celek – Philadelphia Eagles – vs. Cincinnati

Coby Fleener – Indianapolis Colts – at Houston

Rob Housler – Arizona Cardinals – vs. Detroit

Thoughts:

Vernon Davis has the perfect matchup to get back on track in Week 15, however he needs opportunities to make plays. Over the past three weeks he has been targeted a total of six times… It has been a lack of opportunity that has helped lead to his poor line of three receptions for 19 yards over that span. In other words, favorable matchup or not, it’s impossible to trust him.

While Aaron Hernandez has a tough matchup against the 49ers, is anyone really concerned about his ability to produce? Tom Brady and company always seem to get the job done, so continue to view Hernandez like a top option.

Ben Roethlisberger returns and Heath Miller promptly produces five receptions for 66 yards while being targeted nine times. While he was producing with Charlie Batch (11 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown), seeing his starting QB return should give fantasy owners renewed confidence in him.

Greg Olsen always seems to find himself among everyone’s favorite sleeper selections heading into the season. This year, however, he’s lived up to the billing. After picking up four receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown in Week 14, he has 54 receptions for 691 yards and five touchdowns on the season. The receptions rank eighth in the league, while the yards rank sixth (prior to Monday night’s game). With Cam Newton continuing to rediscover himself, it’s easy to slide Olsen in among the Top 10 options this week.

Speaking of renewed value, Martellus Bennett finally appears healthy once again as he has been targeted 15 times over the past two games (10 receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns). With the Giants’ offense seemingly clicking, he’s restored his value as a top option.

While the results have not always been there, Brandon Pettigrew has been targeted at least seven times in each of his past four games. As we always say, opportunity is half the battle. With continuing chances to produce, sooner or later a big day should be in store. Continue to value him as a borderline TE1.

Antonio Gates has at least been targeted eight times in each of his past two games, but he hasn’t surpasses 50 yards or scored a touchdown since Week 10. In fact, he’s had over 50 receiving yards three times all year, and has scored in just three games. While the matchup is favorable, he’s quickly becoming a second choice for fantasy owners.

Looking for a sleeper this week? Benjamin Watson will be taking on a Washington defense that has been beat up by the pass. Throw in the ability for a big game that Watson has shown before (47 yards and two touchdowns vs. the Cowboys in Week 11) and the Browns’ limited potential on the outside and it could easily all come together. He’s a TE2, but if you are desperate he’s worth targeting.

According to CBS, the Chargers are the 5th best versus the TE and the Chiefs are the 12th best. However lets look deeper…

San Diego has allowed 60 receptions (94 Targets) with 609 yards and 4 TDs. Kansas City has fewer receptions (48), targets (71) and yards (594), but has allowed more TDs (6). So I would actually say that the matchup is about even.

So the final component would be who has the better QB. And there is no denying that Cam Newton is the better quarterback at this stage of the season.

Tony G/Matt – it really is a coin flip between the two. The real risk with Myers is tha Oakland’s coaching staff has said they want to get a look at some the younger players. Like last week, that could limit Myers’ opportunity. I would g Olden

Well, that being said. Kyle Rudolph and Dennis Pita are still both available on waivers, would either one of these be a better option then Olsen at this point?
Both Myers and Olsen are on teams that are completely ruled out of the post season.